Xiaomi Unveils Its First Wi-Fi Earbuds
Xiaomi just dropped some big news at MWC 2025, and it’s not just about their flashy new phone, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. They’ve rolled out a bunch of cool gadgets, including the Watch S4, Electric Scooter 5 Max, and Smart Band 9 Pro in a fresh color. But the real star? Their new earphones, the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi. Yep, Wi-Fi earphones. Bluetooth might be sweating a little.
These aren’t your typical wireless buds. The Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi ditch Bluetooth for a Wi-Fi connection, promising better sound quality with zero loss. We’re talking speeds up to 4.2 Mbps, which blows Bluetooth’s best efforts—like the 2.1 Mbps in the regular Buds 5 Pro—out of the water. That means crisp, high-quality audio at 24-bit/96-kHz, perfect for anyone who’s picky about their music.
How do they pull this off? Xiaomi teamed up with Qualcomm, using their Snapdragon Sound and XPAN tech. Add in a triple-driver system—think an 11-mm dual-magnet driver, a planar driver, and a ceramic tweeter—and you’ve got deep bass, clear highs, and a rich sound that feels next-level. I’m already imagining how good my playlists could sound with these.
Battery life is solid too. You get 10 hours from a single charge, and the case bumps that up to 40 hours total. Need a quick boost? Ten minutes of charging gives you 4 hours of playtime. That’s handy when you’re rushing out the door. Plus, they’ve got active noise cancellation you can tweak yourself, and they’re IP54-rated, so a little dust or sweat won’t ruin them.
Here’s the catch—don’t get too excited yet if you don’t own a Xiaomi 15 or 15 Ultra. Right now, these Wi-Fi buds only work with those phones. Xiaomi says more devices will join the party later, but they’re keeping the list under wraps for now. Check their website if you’re curious.
Design-wise, they’re sleek in Translucent Black, mixing shiny and matte finishes for a premium vibe. The regular Buds 5 Pro will set you back €199.99, but the Wi-Fi version jumps to €219.99—about $230 if you’re in the US, though no word on a stateside launch yet. Oh, and they can even double as a tiny microphone for 4-hour recordings, which is a neat bonus.
This all builds on Qualcomm’s XPAN tech from back in 2023, which hinted at Wi-Fi taking over audio. Now it’s real, and it’s not just about better sound. You can roam farther from your phone without the connection dropping, and it’s easier on the battery too. Bluetooth’s been king for ages, but Xiaomi’s betting Wi-Fi could steal the crown. We’ll see if it catches on.
